Bottle bib

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for attachment to drinking vessels, such as baby bottles, which is designed to absorb excess liquid beverage which is rejected by the drinker of such beverage (e.g. “spit up” by a baby) or spilled or dripped from the drinking vessel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to apparatus for attachment todrinking vessels, such as baby bottles, which is designed to absorbexcess liquid beverage which escapes from the mouth of the drinker (e.g.a baby) or is spilled or dripped from the drinking vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is well known to any parent that when a baby drinks from ababy bottle, a substantial amount of liquid which is dispensed from thebottle ends up on the baby's chin, neck, and/or clothing. Although thisoccurs primarily with newborn babies, it may continue at least until thebaby reaches three months old and, in some circumstances, further alongin the age of the baby.

[0003] Liquid which is “spilled” in this manner can not only wet or soilthe baby's garments (and oftentimes the person feeding the baby) but,when it occurs, also leaves the person feeding the baby with andifficult choice. Because babies often fall asleep while feeding, aperson feeding a baby must decide whether to put the baby to bed withwet garments or risk waking the child while changing the baby's clothes.Leaving the child to sleep in wet clothes can, of course, causeirritation to the baby's typically sensitive skin.

[0004] One known but inadequate solution to these problems in the art isthe use of a bib tied around the child's neck during bottle feeding.Conventional bibs are not effective in solving the aforementionedproblems, however, because the beverage dispensed from a bottletypically runs down the chin and neck of the baby and then under thesurface of the bib. Furthermore, utilizing a conventional bib subjectsthe feeder (e.g. mother, etc.) to the potential difficultly of untyingand removing a bib without waking a baby who has fallen asleep.

[0005] Therefore, prior to the subject invention described herein, aperson bottle feeding a baby was required to repeatedly attend to thecleaning or wiping up of the excess liquid dispensed from a baby bottle(which has flowed onto the chin, neck, etc . . . of a feeding baby), orsuffer the problems associated therewith.

[0006] In view of the above, it is apparent that there exists a need inthe art for apparatus which may be attached to a baby bottle or otherdrinking vessel which overcomes the above described problems in the art.It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this need in the art, aswell as other needs which will become apparent to the skilled artisanonce given the following disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Generally speaking, this invention fulfills the above describedneeds in the art by providing: an apparatus for attachment to a drinkingvessel comprising:

[0008] a first member, the first member comprising a first absorbentlayer and including a chin contacting portion;

[0009] a securing member for securing the first member to a drinkingvessel such that the chin contacting portion protrudes a distance fromthe drinking vessel.

[0010] In another embodiment, there is provided: an apparatus forattachment to a drinking vessel comprising:

[0011] a first member comprising at least a first absorbent layer;

[0012] a securing member for securing the first member to a drinkingvessel; and

[0013] wherein the first member is so shaped and sized such that whenthe first member is secured to a drinking vessel by the securing member,the first member protrudes from the drinking vessel a distance such thatthe first member is positionable under the chin of a person drinkingfrom the drinking vessel.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, there is provided: an apparatus forattachment to a drinking vessel comprising:

[0015] means for absorbing liquid;

[0016] means for securing the means for absorbing liquid to a drinkingvessel such that the means for absorbing liquid protrudes a distancefrom the drinking vessel.

IN THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional side view of one embodiment of thesubject invention illustrated as employed on a baby bottle.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in useduring a bottle feeding.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a rearward perspective view of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 3, therein is illustrated oneexemplary embodiment of the subject invention which solves the variousabove-described problems of the prior art. More specifically, apparatus1 is shown which comprises a first member 2 including a plurality oflayers comprising a first absorbent fabric layer 3, a firstnon-absorbent layer 5, and a second absorbent fabric layer 7. As isillustrated, each of these layers is fixed in contact with the adjoininglayer, with non-absorbent layer 5 disposed between the two absorbentlayers. These layers (3, 5, and 7), as shown, are fixed to each othervia conventional double-sided adhesive tape, however, any known means ofsecuring the layers together, such as stitching or glue will suffice.

[0021] Absorbent layers 3 and 7 may be any absorbent and preferablydurable material (synthetic or natural) as long as such material issuitable for the purpose herein at hand. One particularly effectivematerial, however, is manufactured by Georgia Pacific under the tradename AIRTEXT™, and is available through normal merchant channels.

[0022] Non-absorbent layer 5 may additionally be selected from suitableknown materials, the purpose of such layer being merely to providestructural support to the absorbent apparatus 1 and, in someembodiments, to prevent liquid from transferring from one absorbentlayer to the other. In this respect, in some embodiments, layer 5 is aliquid impermeable layer. One example of a material which is known to besuitable as such a layer is a conventional soft plastic such aspolyurethane.

[0023] In order to secure apparatus 1 to a drinking vessel such as ababy bottle 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of elastic bands 9and 11 are provided. These bands may be adhesively secured between anytwo of the layers 3, 5, or 7, or, alternatively, may be simply stitchedor glued to the edges of absorbent apparatus 1. Furthermore, bands 9 and11 may be eliminated altogether (or only one band used) and alternativemeans employed to secure apparatus 1 to a drinking vessel (e.g.double-sided tape, glue, or permanent affixation).

[0024] Employed as such, however, elastic bands 9 and 11 should beadjusted such that their length is appropriate to frictionally fit andhold apparatus 1 to a circumference of baby bottle 20 (e.g. or otherdrinking vessel). In particular, apparatus 1 should be attached suchthat a chin contacting portion 13 protrudes a distance away from andunderneath the nipple 22 of the baby bottle 20 such that when the nipple22 is placed in the mouth of a baby 30 (see FIG. 2), the chin contactingportion 13 will be positioned underneath and preferably in contact witha portion of the chin of the baby. In such a position, if the babyrejects (e.g. dribbles, drools, spills, etc.) any portion of the liquidcontained in the bottle, or if any liquid drips from the nipple 22 ofthe bottle 20, any liquid which would otherwise flow down the chin (orsimply drip onto the baby or the adult feeding the baby) will beabsorbed, at least in part, by the absorbent layers (3 and/or 7) of theabsorbent apparatus 1. Therefore, many of the messes associated withbottle feeding are substantially eliminated with both the baby, thebaby's clothes, and the clothes of the feeding adult being protectedfrom many of the liquid spills which otherwise normally occur during abottle feeding.

[0025] In some embodiments of the subject invention, absorbent layers 3and 7 may be selectively replaced without replacing the whole apparatus1. Such replacement is easiest, of course, in embodiments which employdouble-sided adhesive tape to secure the adjacent layers to each other.In such embodiments, an individual layer may be removed (if it is soiledfor example) and a new layer placed thereon and fixed with a new stripof adhesive.

[0026] In other embodiments of the subject invention, additional layersmay be employed which are either absorbent or non-absorbent.

[0027] In still other embodiments, apparatus 1 may comprise only asingle material or layer (with absorbent qualities), or a bi-layer (e.g.one absorbent layer and one nonabsorbent layer).

[0028] Although the description herein has so far only been describedwith respect to baby bottles, other uses are contemplated to be withinthe scope of the subject invention. For example, apparatus 1 and elasticbands 9 and 11 may be so sized and shaped so as to fit on a childrenstraining cup, or even on a normal glass (e.g. to be used by children orby physically challenged adults). In this respect, apparatus 1 and themeans to secure it to a drinking vessel may be adapted in any number ofways to be configurable to attach to a nearly infinite number ofdrinking vessel types.

[0029] Once given the above disclosure, many other features,modifications, and improvements will become apparent to the skilledartisan. Such other features, modifications, and improvements aretherefore considered to be part of this invention, the scope of which isto be determined by the following claims:

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for attachment to a drinking vessel comprising:a first member, said first member comprising a first absorbent layer andincluding a chin contacting portion; a securing member for securing saidfirst member to a drinking vessel such that said chin contacting portionprotrudes a distance from the drinking vessel.
 2. The apparatus of claim1 wherein said first member further comprises a non-absorbent layer incontact with said first absorbent layer.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2wherein said first member further comprises a second absorbent layer;and wherein said non-absorbent layer is disposed between said firstabsorbent layer and said second absorbent layer.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein said non-absorbent layer is substantially impermeable toliquid.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first member comprises:a said first absorbent layer; a non-absorbent layer having a first and asecond surface, said first surface being in contact with said firstabsorbent layer; and a second absorbent layer in contact with saidsecond surface of said non-absorbent layer; and wherein said chincontacting portion of said first member is flexible thereby to beconformable to a shape of a chin.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid securing member permits said apparatus to be selectively attachedand detached from a drinking vessel.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid securing member comprises at least one elastic band.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein said securing member comprises a pair ofelastic bands.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chin contactingportion is flexible and is of a size and a shape so as to be conformableto a shape of a chin.
 10. An apparatus for attachment to a drinkingvessel comprising: a first member comprising at least a first absorbentlayer; a securing member for securing said first member to a drinkingvessel; and wherein said first member is so shaped and sized such thatwhen said first member is secured to a drinking vessel by said securingmember, said first member protrudes from the drinking vessel a distancesuch that said first member is positionable under the chin of a persondrinking from the drinking vessel.
 11. An apparatus for attachment to adrinking vessel comprising: means for absorbing liquid; means forsecuring said means for absorbing liquid to a drinking vessel such thatsaid means for absorbing liquid protrudes a distance from the drinkingvessel.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said means forabsorbing liquid comprises at least a first absorbing fabric layer. 13.An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said means for absorbingliquid comprises: a first absorbent fabric layer; a non-absorbent layerin substantially continuous contact with said first absorbent layer. 14.An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said means for absorbingliquid further comprises a second absorbent layer in substantiallycontinuous contact with said nonabsorbent layer.
 15. An apparatusaccording to claim 11 wherein said means for absorbing liquid includes achin contacting portion which is flexible and is of such a size andshape so as to be conformable to a shape of a chin.
 16. An apparatusaccording to claim 15 wherein said means for securing comprises at leastone elastic band.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein saidmeans for securing comprises a pair of elastic bands.
 18. An apparatusaccording to claim 15 wherein said means for absorbing liquid, whensecured to a drinking vessel via said means for securing, is sopositioned such that when the drinking vessel is employed to imbibe aliquid beverage, said means for absorbing liquid will be in contact witha portion of a chin such that liquid beverage located on such portion ofsuch chin will be, at least in part, absorbed by said means forabsorbing liquid.
 19. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein saidmeans for absorbing comprises at least a first absorbent fabric layer.20. A drinking vessel in combination with absorbent apparatus attachedthereto, wherein said absorbent apparatus comprises: a first memberhaving a chin contacting portion which protrudes a distance from saiddrinking vessel such that said chin contacting portion is positionablein contact with a portion of a chin of a person drinking from saiddrinking vessel; and wherein said chin contacting portion comprises atleast a first absorbent layer.
 21. The combination of claim 20 whereinsaid chin contacting portion further comprises a non-absorbent layer incontact with said first absorbent layer.
 22. The combination of claim 21wherein said chin contacting portion further comprises a secondabsorbent layer; and wherein said non-absorbent layer is disposedbetween said first absorbent layer and said second absorbent layer. 23.The combination of claim 22 wherein said chin contacting portion isflexible and is of a size and shape so as to be conformable to a shapeof a chin.